New Resident Guide · Sebring, Florida
Highlands CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Highlands County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, and the rest of the county — power, water, gas, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. Print it and keep it on the fridge.
Step 1
County Offices
The government offices every new homeowner needs — for your homestead exemption, taxes, license plates, schools, and voter registration.
Property Appraiser
Highlands County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. Filing homestead is the most valuable thing a new Florida homeowner can do.
Tax Collector
Highlands County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services. Offices in Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Highlands County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
School Board of Highlands County
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children (call the district to confirm your zone).
Official Records / Deeds
Highlands County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents (Recording: (863) 402-6590); also court records.
Building & Permitting
Highlands County Development Services
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Highlands County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Highlands County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports. For emergencies, always call 911.
Step 2
Set Up Your Utilities
Call ahead of your move-in date so the power and water are on when you arrive. Electric and water depend on your exact address — see the note under each.
Electric
Duke serves Sebring and Avon Park; Glades Electric serves Lake Placid and the south. Avon Park has city water but NOT city electric — power is Duke.
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: Sebring, Avon Park, and most of central/north Highlands.
Glades Electric Cooperative
Serves: Lake Placid and southern/rural Highlands.
Water & Sewer
Inside a city, use the city; many unincorporated homes are on a private well and septic.
City of Avon Park Utility Billing
Serves: City of Avon Park (water, wastewater, trash).
Town of Lake Placid Utilities
Serves: Town of Lake Placid and nearby areas.
Natural Gas
Gas barely exists here — most homes are all-electric or use propane.
TECO Peoples Gas
Serves: Parts of unincorporated Highlands — confirm by ZIP.
Trash & Recycling
Unincorporated curbside is Waste Connections; Sebring and Avon Park run their own via the city.
Highlands County Solid Waste
Serves: Countywide programs and the recycling center (Sebring).
Waste Connections of Florida
Serves: Unincorporated Highlands curbside pickup.
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Brightspeed
Serves: DSL/fiber across parts of Highlands — check by address.
Not sure who serves your exact address?
Electric, water, and trash can change street by street. The fastest ways to confirm: check the seller's most recent utility bill, ask your closing agent or title company, or call the city utility office for the city your home is in. If your home is in an unincorporated area, it's handled by the county. Your MaxLife agent is happy to help you pin this down before closing.
Highlands County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Highlands County, FL?
Duke Energy serves Sebring, Avon Park, and most of central/north Highlands, while Glades Electric Cooperative serves Lake Placid and the south. Note Avon Park runs its own water/sewer/trash but NOT electric — power there is Duke. Confirm by address.
How do I set up water service in Highlands County?
Inside Sebring ((863) 471-5112), Avon Park ((863) 452-4433), or Lake Placid ((863) 699-3747), use the city/town. Many unincorporated homes are on a private well and septic.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Highlands County?
File with the Highlands County Property Appraiser at hcpao.org or (863) 402-6659. The deadline is March 1, and you must own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1 of that year.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Highlands County?
The Highlands County Tax Collector (hctaxcollector.com, (863) 402-6685) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses, with offices in Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid. New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days and register their vehicles within 10 days of starting work or enrolling children in school.
How do I register to vote in Highlands County?
Register or update your address through the Highlands County Supervisor of Elections at votehighlands.gov or (863) 402-6655. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Highlands County contact sheet as a clean one-pager — perfect to keep on the fridge or hand to a client at closing.
Buying or selling in Highlands County? Talk to Ryan Solberg at MaxLife Realty.
Contact details verified June 2026against each agency's and provider's official website. Government offices and utilities occasionally change phone numbers, websites, and service areas — please confirm before relying on a number for a deadline or time-sensitive matter. MaxLife Realty is not affiliated with any office or utility listed here. For emergencies, call 911.